1983 GS450E build. My first bike.

[83_450E]

Thanks! It helps a lot I've got my work van at home full of everything I need. My boss helped me out a lot letting me use all the chemicals for free.

Mocked up
I love it

imgur is being funky the picture may not show up
here's a direct link if you dare
http://imgur.com/9si1z82

[pete]

Oh yeah, nice work!

[wally]

Geez, you don't waste time!

[83_450E]

Haha I wanna ride! The bike is running a bit rich and I'm buying a Lincoln mig tonight. Any mixture adjustment for these carbs?

[Charlie G]

Ok, you probally know this, but check to see the petcock is on=ON and not on PRI=prime.

cg

[83_450E]

I may have primed myselff into a rich fuel mix. The previous owner said the carbs were jetted for the k&n pod filters. Judging by his previous work it was done incorrectly.
The valve train is making a lot of noise the cover comes off tonight, rear fender should be here today and I'll try welding up my muffler. Still lots to do.
The side covers are missing the mounting points so I will makw a writeup on how tobreplace them with nylon bolts.

[Charlie G]

You may want to check the timing chain for the cams. If the chain jumps a tooth the valve train will make alot of racket. If it has, reset it and check that the automatic cam chain tensioner is set properly. Both of my bikes had them ( the tensioner)set improperly when I bought them. On my 450 the nut that holds the knurled on the tensioner fell off, (my fault) the chain went slack and it jumped several teeth. This is how I know. I had a thread here from a few years back called "Lost a Nut" I think. There are pictures there.

cg

[pete]

Carbs should have mixture screws, and on the 80 - 82 450's they're under a cover above the butterfly pivot shaft although in Aus we got them uncovered (bonus).

On your carbs I'm not sure where they are, they changed the carbs completely for the '83 model year.

Looking at the parts fiche on Alpha Sports I see a little round section in about the same spot on the '83 carbs. They may be hiding under there... you can see parts 16 - 19 for the butterfly pivot, and just above and to the left slightly you can see another round bit with no parts marked.

[83_450E]

Haven't updated in awhile
did some more tinkering, adjusted the valves and started welding up the muffler (mostly burning through it)
also ground out and welded the footpegs straight again

I got laid off, two more days of work until I'm done. After I wait a while at the unemployment lines I'll have all the time I need to get this thing done and move on.

[pete]

Your welding sounds like mine...

Bugger on getting laid off! Hopefully you can find something soon, but I can understand getting some bonus time to finish her off

[83_450E]

http://youtu.be/3xcWPubj5Y0

check it out, got to spin the rear a little bit. Seems like it is running well now.
I got to ride around my driveway some. My driveway is big enough to roll figure 8's and it was nice to practice some low speed maneuvering but damn...need to adjust bars pegs and pretty much everything.
I'm motivated to get her on the road now!

[pete]

You hoon

[83_450E]

I went about cleaning some protective grime off the motor today. Looks like I've got a small leak from the cam chain tensioner but that doesn't surprise me. From what I understand automatic chain tensioners are a death sentence to older motorcycles.
Is there an aftermarket or home brewed option for a manual tensioner?

Looks like rebuilding this thing isn't such a huge deal.
I've got a motor noise on decel sort of a grinding sliding noise when the rpm's fall. Sounds like a rotating piece is tight on rising rpm and rattles around when slackened.

Again I'm looking at the cam chain tensioner.

[Charlie G]

Factory tensioners are reliable. There easy and cheap to rebuild,. Make sure it is set per the manual and the nut that holds the knurled knob has a lock washer and lock tight.

cg

[83_450E]

took her out for a ride today! Registered and insured without a hitch and put 30 something miles in town and a few freeway. She rides smooth and surprised me with the amount of power available. I'm completely satisfied with the time and effort I've put forward.

when you look at what I had to work with...I don't know if I'd do it again. Not yet anyway hah.
Still lots to do, I'm sure you all know projects never really finish.